Colouring your hair at home? Read this first

The complete guide

Colouring your hair at home doesn’t have to be as hard a task as it seems. Here’s your all-encompassing handbook (you’re welcome) on what to do before, during and after taking the plunge.

BEFOREReaction time: Do an allergy test. “Apply a little bit of product behind your ear,” says celebrity hairstylist Kanta Motwani, “and see if you develop any redness or rashes.” Even if you are allergic, that doesn’t necessarily condemn you to a life without colour. “I have certain clients who are allergic to chemicals in hair colours, but they are aware of it and take [allergy medication] to prep themselves for it.”

Mix master: Ideally, always follow mixing instructions as detailed on the box if you don’t want to risk diluting or darkening the colour. If you’re going to use only a portion of the product in one colouring session, Motwani’s rule of thumb is to mix one part colour to two parts hydrogen peroxide or a developer.

DURINGBend over backward: “When you’re [colouring] it yourself, it’s a little hard to see what’s happening at the back,” admits Motwani, “It’s best if you just make two ponytails and start with the sections at the back. Leave colouring the front for the end. If you colour the front first, you may take longer because you’ll have to wash the front before doing the back to avoid a mess. Start with the nape and release [sections of hair] as you go up.”

Onedge: When colouring hair at home, pay special attention to the skin near your hairline. Stains of colour will cling stubbornly and refuse to come off. Motwani’s hack is to apply petroleum jelly along your hairline to clean up.

Stroke of genius: It’s harder to be precise with colour application when dealing with delicate strands around your hairline. When you reach this point, Motwani suggests you ditch the brush and apply colour with a cue-tip or toothbrush.

Time code: “You can’t just put the colour on and forget about it,” scolds Motwani. You have to have a timer handy. The amount of time colour stays on your hair influences what the final shade will be.

AFTERWash and wear: Some colours, especially those from the red and pink families, tend to run and leach onto your clothes if your hair gets sweaty or wet. “Wash off the hair colour thoroughly with two shampoos,” says Motwani, “so there’s no residue.”

Bleach bum: Sun exposure and chemicals like chlorine are the most common colour thieves. If you’re going to be out in the sun, protect your mane with a leave-in conditioner. Light-haired ladies will have to skirt around the pool because any trace of chlorine could add green tones to your highlights.